Fireworks

In “Goldengrove,” Francine Prose’s novel about a family’s tragic summer, the town where all the action takes place has one enviable asset: its Fourth of July celebration.

By Jim RossManaging editor

In “Goldengrove,” Francine Prose’s novel about a family’s tragic summer, the town where all the action takes place has one enviable asset: its Fourth of July celebration. A wealthy summer visitor left financial provisions in her will so that the town would always have the means to put on a top-notch fireworks show.When I came to that passage in the book I thought to myself: If only Marion County could find a similar golden goose.Or, at least, if only Marion County could achieve that kind of certainty.Each year we have fireworks. And each year we worry whether we will have fireworks.The show is not a municipal function. There is no guarantee it will happen.In Marion County, the Jaycees are the organizers. The group’s volunteers invest much time and energy.Sometimes, it seems, that might not be enough. Last year, for example, the Jaycees couldn’t get insurance. The show was off!But then it was on again, after former Ocala Raceway owner Michael Peters saved the day.This year, organization was the problem. The Jaycees had a slow start but eventually got everything in order.I offer a tip of Uncle Sam’s hat to the Jaycees. They provide a community service on Independence Day and we should all be grateful.Make it a triple tip of the hat to Golden Ocala, which donates the site, the labor to prepare the site for huge crowds, and $10,000 to boot.Still, with all due respect and gratitude, the time has come for government to take the lead on this annual celebration.First, we must agree that the Fourth of July is special and thus deserves special treatment — including spending and staff resources — from local government. It’s the day we celebrate our nation and our freedom.Second, we must concede that fireworks shows are an important part of celebrating Independence Day.Third, we must admit the need for the kind of certainty that government can provide. A county this size should have a good fireworks show, period. It shouldn’t be an annual drama: Will we have a show? Won’t we?Marion County government kicked in $5,000 this year, which is admirable. Perhaps it could take the lead organizational role, as a parks and recreation function, and work with the Jaycees, Golden Ocala and other partners.My suggestion runs counter to the national trend. The American Pyrotechnics Association told the Star-Banner last week that municipalities are getting out of the fireworks business. The cost is too high in austere times.Some people might say that if something isn’t broken --- and the annual fireworks show, for all its complications, is not broken --- then we shouldn’t fix it.And anyway, if the private sector is already running the show, shouldn’t we leave it that way? Even if government had the money and the staff time to spare, couldn’t those resources be used differently?Fair points, all. There would be fireworks if Marion County government tried to get involved in fireworks.It should do so, anyway.Reach Jim Ross at 671-6412 or jim.ross@ocala.com. Follow him on Twitter @jimross96.